EOLIS DRUMMONDI, Thompson.
B. albida, branchiis elongatis, sub-linearibus, rufescentibus, apicibus albis, in fasciculis. 4-6
digestis: tentaculis dorsalibus dense annulatis, annnlis 20-30: tentaeulis labialibus longis: angulis
anterioribus pedis valde productis, aeuminatis.
Eolidia rufibranchialis, Thompson, in Ann. Nat. Hist. v. 5, p. 89.
Eolis Drummondi, Idem in Report Brit. Assoc, for 1843, p'. 250,
Var. Eolis tenuibranchialis (?), Aid., and Hanc. in Ann, Nat. Hist. v. 16, p, 315 ?
Hab. Under stones between tide-marks, and in shallow water:1 not uncommon in the north of
Ireland, and on the Western Coasts of Scotland and England. Belfast Lough, plentiful, Dr.
Drummond, and W. Thompson, Esq. Rothesay, Isle of Bute; Lamlash, Isle of Arran; Ardrossan and
Saltcoats, Ayrshire; frequent, J. A. Birkenhead, J. Price, Esq. Dredged near South-Sea Castle,
Portsmouth, Capt. James, R.N.
Body from an inch to an inch and a half in length, rather broad, and spreading a little
at the .sides; of a transparent watery white, with a shade of yellow or flesh-colour, becoming
deeper towards the*head, which is large and generally of a rosy flesh-colour, with-’a little
opake white immediately in front of the. dorsal tentacles, and a delicate streak of the same
passing between them; there are also a few spots of opake white over the heart. Dorsal
tentacles approximating at the base, long and linear, but capable of great contraction, of a
rosy fawn colour with opake white or yellowish tips, and a streak of the same passing a little
way down in front: they are covered to near the base with numerous rings,—-about twenty
or thirty in number—some of which are narrower than the rest. Oral tentacles very long,
sometimes in young individuals extending nearly half the length of the body; broad at the
base, and tapering to a point ;■ tinged with the same colour as the head, with usually a streak
of opake white towards the tip. Branchice numerous, long, linear, a little broader in the
middle, and tapering to a point at the apex; set down the sides of the back in from four to
six clumps: the first large, and generally containing thirty or forty papillae, arranged in seven
transverse rows, .the largest containing about six each; the remaining clumps grow gradually
less numerous, and the last oomes very near to the tail, so that the papillae extend beyond it
when the animal is at rest. They are of a reddish brown' colour, varying to ’dull red, brown
drab, and yellowish brown in different individuals; the coloured portion is slightly granular,
and forms a rather narrow central line 'with undulating edges, the transparent white sheath
appearing of equal breadth to it on each side. There is a ring of opake white near the top,
which extends down into an angle in front, and is occasionally interrupted behind. The tips
are transparent. Foot broad and thin, transparent white, the front angles produced into long,
pointed tentacular processes. ' It is strongly grooved, and doubly arched in front, and tapers
rather abruptly to a point beyond the branchue posteriorly.